Enduring Traditions

Dear St. Andrew’s Family,

As we embark on a new school year I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the rich tapestry of traditions that make our school community special. We all enjoyed the tradition of the bagpipes greeting students on the first day of school, and students look forward to hearing the sound of the bagpipes at other events throughout the year. The traditions not only enhance our school community but also forge a sense of belonging and pride among our students, faculty, and staff. 

Many of our traditions serve as highlights and rallying points throughout the school year. While each division has its own set of traditions, we have several enduring K12 events on the horizon that I am looking forward to in particular this fall — Homecoming, St. Andrew’s Day and our Christmas Festivities.  I am going to focus on our fall semester K12 traditions and our most enduring traditions.

 

Homecoming is a chance for the entire K12 community to celebrate our Highlander Pride. In the week leading up to Homecoming, each division enjoys Spirit Days where students dress up according to a particular theme, culminating with everyone wearing our school colors on Friday. The evening festivities begin with a school-wide picnic on Nazro Green on our Southwest Parkway campus. Food trucks, activity tables, carnival games, and more are all part of the fun. Before the game, we have our annual Fun Run, where lower school students run four laps around the track. Then first graders and seniors join together to create a Spirit Line for our Highlander football team to run through as they take the field. Music throughout the evening is provided by our Rock Bands, Select Choir, and Middle and Upper School Concert Bands. During the game, our spirits are lifted by our Cheerleaders and Dance Team. And, at half-time we recognize Championship teams and our Homecoming Royalty. We pack a lot of fun and festivities into our celebrations. 

 

We honor our school and our Patron Saint each year on St. Andrew’s Day. One of the main stories about Andrew is his role in the feeding of the 5000. Andrew is the disciple who brought the young boy with five loaves and three fish to Jesus. By worshiping together and eating together, we honor the spirit of Andrew. St. Andrew’s Day is the one time the entire K12 community comes together. The day begins with a Eucharist service, which will be held in the new competition gym in Highlander Hall for the first time. During the service, we recognize community members and faculty for the service and dedication to the school. Afterward, we all enjoy a picnic lunch on the Nazro Green. The day concludes with division-specific service activities. The official feast day of St. Andrew is November 30. Due to our busy holiday schedule, we chose a date in November or early December to honor our school and our patron saint.  This year we will celebrate St. Andrew’s Day on November 19. 

At St. Andrew’s, we celebrate the holidays and traditions of many religions and cultures. As an Episcopal school, we also celebrate Christmas through three long-standing traditions. The First Grade Christmas Pageant, the oldest tradition at St. Andrew’s, tells the story of Jesus’s birth through readings and songs. Each first grader plays an important role in the pageant, and many alums remember their own parts from their time as a student. On Southwest Parkway, the Upper School Choirs, piano,  and Latin students help us prepare for the birth of Jesus though the Advent Evensong. This beautiful service end with caroling an cookies outside of the Chapel. Finally, our fall semester comes to a close with the Festival of Lessons and Carols on the 31st Street Campus. From the kindergarten students singing “Mary had a Baby” to the bands and orchestra playing the carols and hymns, many of our students participate in the traditional Anglican service to celebrate Christmas.

Each of these important traditions focus on bringing the community together and celebrating what makes St. Andrew’s a special school. We hope to see many parents, caregivers,  and friends at our wonderful school traditions.

Faithfully,

Alice 

Alice Nezzer 
Associate Head of School